One-on-one with Kelli Anderson

During the day, Kelli Anderson works as a middle school math teacher and cheerleading coach.

But in those very early hours before daylight, while her students are fast sleep, Anderson becomes Kelli Dawn: novelist.

Anderson’s debut novel, “Down This Road,” is a story about what it’s like to come home again. It was released by the locally-based Kandon Publishing and Anderson is already working on a sequel.

The author, who moved to San Diego from Utah in 2001, talks about what drives her and how she managed to be good at both writing and math.

Q: Why did you want to write a book?

A: For as long as I can remember, I’ve written stories. I didn’t share them with anyone for a long time, and to be honest, I’m not sure at what point I decided I would actually want to publish a book. I do know that once it became my intention, I announced it to my friends and family and from there, there was no backing down. I was determined to see it through, and it was a long journey.

Q: What’s the inspiration behind your book?

A: The story — well, the early version of it, anyway — came to me in a dream when I was 14 years old. One of the struggles of the main character, whether to live in the country or the city (San Diego, actually), is a struggle I’ve had in my own life. And I, like, the main character, have been accused of being too independent. So in a way, some of the inspiration was just me processing things I was going through in my life.

Q: Since you’re also a full-time teacher, what is your writing schedule like?

A: My main writing/creative time is in the early morning hours while the rest of the world is sleeping. I wake up between 3 and 4 a.m. every morning (yes, even on weekends). I’m lucky that I also teach at a year-round school, so I am able to get a lot of the editing done during my four-week breaks.

Q: How are you good at both math and writing?

A: I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember, so I guess all those hours of practice counted for something. As far as math, well, it was actually my weaker subject at school. To be clear, I wasn’t bad at math, but I always received perfect scores in reading and writing, whereas in math I was just slightly above average. However, my first year of teaching found me teaching math and, well, I quickly developed a passion for it! I will sit and solve a math problem for fun, the same as I would read a book for fun.

Q: Why did you decide to go into teaching?

A: After I graduated college at age 20, I had a degree in psychology and no idea what to do with it. As I explored my options for graduate school, I landed a job as an instructional aide at a middle school and fell in love with teaching. I think it’s important to note that growing up, I NEVER wanted to be a teacher. My mom and sister were both teachers, but I wanted to do something — anything — else.

Q: What do your students think about your book?

A: Well, those who know think I’m instantly famous, which is kind of funny. They’re also amazed when I tell them it took me about three years to finish, because they can’t fathom working on something for that long.

Q: You’re also a cheerleading coach — do you write your own cheers?

A: No way, though I sometimes make my own motions. Most of the cheers we use have been around for years ... it’s like that with cheer, we all do the same cheers and put our own motions to them. I guess some coaches who are creative enough make their own, but I’m not one of them.

Q: What is something people would be surprised to find out about you?

A: I can be really lazy, which no one seems to believe. I wake up insanely early every single morning, I teach full-time, coach, run a youth program, write for an online magazine and just published a book. But sometimes on the weekend, a lot of times, actually, I park on the couch, watch cheesy made-for-TV movies (think: Lifetime) and don’t even bother to get dressed, let alone shower.

Q: Where is the best cup of coffee in San Diego?

A: Um, my house. That first cup of coffee I have at 3:30 in the morning, when I sit down at my laptop to write a new chapter is the best coffee in the world to me.

Q: Please describe your ideal San Diego weekend.

A: I guess I’d want a little bit of everything. I’d start my Saturday off with a mountain bike ride — my favorite ride is Noble Canyon — and then I’d head down to the beach to soak up the sun and eat some fish tacos. Sunday, I’d probably go for a run around Lake Murray, wander around Old Town to eat fresh tortillas and drink a margarita, then go to the Q to watch the Chargers pull off a victory against the Raiders. And I’d do it all (except the running and biking) in flip flops.